The Portuguese Legion (French Légion Portugaise and Portuguese Legião Portuguesa) was the 9 000 men strong Portuguese military force integrated in the Napoleon's Imperial Armies, mobilized after the occupation of Portugal by the army of General Junot, in 1807.
The Legion was created by order of Napoleon from 12 November 1807. Organization began in February, 1808, with the best units of the disbanded Portuguese Army, including the elite Legion of Light Troops.
It left to Salamanca in April 1808, crossing Spain until arriving in France. During the crossing of Spain, many legionnaires defected, returning to Portugal and joining the Portuguese resistance against the French occupation.
At the service of Napoleon, the Portuguese Legion fought in the campaigns of Germany, Austria and Russia, suffering heavy casualties.
It was present in the battles of Wagram, Smolensk, Vitebsk and Borodino (Moscow). Being highly regarded by Napoleon, the troops of the Legion were referred by him as the "Black Infantry".
Source: Wikipedia
On s'y croirait (brrrrr...)! Merveilleux travail comme toujours!
ResponderEliminarMerci chèr Phil, tu es toujours très gentil! :D Au revoir mon ami!
EliminarExcellent work my friend! I love this historical background!
ResponderEliminarThanks Michał, I´m glad you liked it :D Cheers my friend!
EliminarHandsome duo! I especially like the mounted trooper. The brown uniform is quite nice.
ResponderEliminarThanks Jonathan! Their uniforms were very original, and the colour resembles the Caçadores uniforms :) Cheers!
EliminarBeautiful. It's cold in the winter it must have been in Russia.
ResponderEliminarThank you my friend :) You are absolutely right, the painting in the background is by Alexei Kondratyevich Savrasov! :D Cheers!
EliminarVery nice, I do like the dull brown colour, makes a nice change from all the colourful Nap uniforms.
ResponderEliminarThanks Ray, glad you liked it! :D I agree, they are a nice change to the flamboyant birds of Paradise ;) Cheers!
EliminarGood work and information sir!
ResponderEliminarThanks Francis, these fellow´s story is fascinating! Cheers!
EliminarVery nicely done, they look spot on
ResponderEliminarThanks Russ for your visit and kind words! :D Cheers!
EliminarLovely figs and interesting background!
ResponderEliminarThanks Gordon! It is a painting by a XIX century Russian artist, Alexei Kondratyevich Savrasov :) Cheers!
EliminarAbsolutely marvellous!
ResponderEliminarYou are very kind Michael, thanks for your support!! :D Cheers!
EliminarGreat Work and photos!
ResponderEliminarБольшое спасибо Сергей :D
EliminarWonderful work RM. Like the pictures in the snow. I bet the Russian campaign was very hard on their numbers!
ResponderEliminarThanks Rod :D Yes, they suffered heavy losses, and behaved very bravely. 80 of them were awarded the Legion d´Honneur after Smolensko :) Cheers!!
EliminarVery interesting :) and good looking!
ResponderEliminarThanks Piotr for your visit and kind comment!! :) Cheers!
Eliminarthe setting is absolutely lovely, Rog, even the snow! Love the rider's uniform and helmet!
ResponderEliminarThanks Dez!! Yes, they were quite original, glad you liked it! Cheers my friend!
EliminarCool. Now Build a whole battalion.
ResponderEliminarThanks Telamon :) Yes, that is the idea ... ;) Cheers and thanks for visiting!!
Eliminar